Sheet-delivery mechanism.



` c. A. MGCAIN. SHEET DELIVERY MEGHANISM.

APPLICATION FILED MAY 11, 1911. f Patented Dec.3,1912.

. 5 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

G. A. MoCAIN.

SHEET DELIVERY MBGHANISM.

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, mL i a Patented De.3,1912.

` C. A.'Mo0AI N.. SHEET, DELIVERY MBGHANISM.,

APPLIOATI'ON FILED MAY 11, 1911.

'Patented De@ 3, 1912.'

5 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

' C. A. MUGAIN;

. SHEET DELIVERY MEQEANISM. v

APPLIUATION FILED MAY 11, 1911.y

- :Patented Dec. 3,-1912;

5 SHEETS-HEBT 4.

- NITED sini'riis`4 PATENT OFFICE.

, ."CYRUsA. ivicoAIN, or OAK PARK, rnLiNoIs.

SHEET-DELIVERY MECHANISM.

Specification of Letters Patent.-

rat-enten nee. a, 1912.

y Y Application aied May 1i, 1911-. semi N0.f626,425.

f To all whom it may concern: l

` Be it knowjn that I, CYRUS A. MoCAiN, a

citizen of the United States, residing at Oak mechanisms of tliecharacter stated, where-hy.

they will he better adapted toperform the functions `for. which-they are provided;l and, specifically, to provide novel and 'simple sheet-delivery mechanism which will he posi-v tive iii operation regardless of the speed at.

which the press in -connection With which it is employed, is operated; to provide improved means for arresting the impetus of' the sheet wlien'released from the deliverymechanism to provide in mechanisms of the character stated carrier-elements of a con-- struction which will, permitslittingv of the sheets if. desired, after their discharge from the pres-s; and to provide novel and simple gripping-mechaiiism for' engagement with the sheets. y

My invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which;

disengage the sheets from the delivery mechanism. Fig. 9 is'a broken view m side elevation -of `the portion of the gripper shown at the right-hand side of Fig. 8, this 60 view being taken from the ,opposite side. Fig. 10 is a view in elevation, partly sectional, of portions of the limpression-rollei', one'of the wheels for supporting the sheet.-

carrying tapes, cert-ain of the sheet-gripping 65 mechanisms, and a slittcig'tlie parts illustrated heilig shown in the positions they assume immediately preceding the releaseof the sheets -from the impression-roller grippers. v aty t-he line 1l on Fig. 2 and viewedin the direction of the arrow.v Fig. 1Q is a section taken at the line 12 on Fig.' l'l'a'nd viewed in the direct-ion of the arrow'.A 413 isa plan view of the slit-ter-mechanisin for-slit- 7.5

ting the'she'ets; and Fig. 14- an elevationalview taken at the line 14 on 'Fig. lyand viewedin the direction of thearrow.. i

As I' have devised printing-presses as stated, I-have'illustra-ted it in this connection in the' drawings` but as printing-presses of the rotary type are well known in the art, -I have deemed it suilicient to illustrate only the -impression- 85 roller thereof, this roller `loeing represented at l5 and containing a peripheral recess .16

extending from end to end thereof in which grippersl'i, as is usual -in printing-press Fig. l1 is an -enlarge'dsection taken 70 Vinvent-ion for vuse. more particularly in connect-ion withirotary 80 constructions, are supported on ai rock-shaft 90 18, to extend beyond the `iperipheryl ofthe Figure 1 is a broken viewv in plan of my improved sheet-delivery mechanism. Fig. 2 is a broken view in^s1deelevationof the roller 15 and clamp the paper against tlie""" mechanism of Fig. l shownin connection with a printing-press and'operating to receive the sheets of paper delivered from the piessafter the print-ing operation. Fig.v 3

is af sect-ion taken atl the line-3 on Fig. .2

and viewed linthe direct-ion of the arrow.

Fig. 4 is ,an enlarged planview-of a portion ot' the .sheet-carrying tapesnequipped with grippers', one of which isshown. Fig. 5 is a view in side elevation of the construction illustrated'in Figje. Fig. 6 is an enlarged section taken at the line 6 on Fig. A:and viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 7 is a similar view taken -at the line 7 on Fig. -land viewed in the direction of the arrow. Fig. 8 is 'a broken view in side elevation ot' one. of the 'tape-carrying wheels showing a section. of the tape carried thereby and one of thegrippers on the latter, this view showing the means for actuating the giippcrs to latter. this roek-shaftbeing operatively connected with mechanism (not shown) but which is commonly providedfor actuating I the grippers 17 to alternately grip and release the paper operatedon by the press for carrying itto andreleasing it "at a. predetermined. point of' discharge.

Journaled in any suit-able manner-'to ex- ,100

tend parallel withl and immediately below the roller 15, is a shaft 19 adapted to'be driven, .for the purpose hereinafteidescribed, from the driving mechanism (not shown) of the press, which would mesh with a gear 20 on this shaft. The shaft l!) cai*- ries a plurality -of peripherally flanged wheels 21 which are spaced apart as repre-. sented and the peripheries of which extend closely adjacent to the periphery of the roller 15. Extending parallel with the shaft 19 and spaced therefrom,` is a new lrotary shaft`22v which may besupjorted in any-'suitable' manner and` carries spending to the number of Wheels 21. Piv-l otally connected at the angle-.section ot each bell-crank is a. de1; ending' ,link '24, in the lower ends of whichl stub-shafts 25 are secured, these stub-shafts affording journal supports for periperally. grooved Wheels 26 which are of the same size as the Wheels 21,

, correspond in lnumber thereto,v and yare lined up with the Wheels 21 as illustrated in Fig. 1. Extending about the-'Wheels 21. and 26' are endless tapes 27 preferably of flexible sheet-metal, which serve as supports 'for the :sheets'to be delivered from the roller 15, as

hereinafter described, these tapes being adapted t he driven by the Wheelsl and in lYvverdly-e'xten turn drive the Wheels 2G, thetapes 27 extending into the grooves in the ijieripherief.; of

these Wheelswhich latter are prefer-ably provided. with radially-extending pins 28 spaced apart an equal distance about tlieir peripheries and coperatir g "with openi 29 v in the tapes for insuring thepositive drive` rection of the arrow in 'Fien toa osition.

in'which'they extend over a joggerboard illust-rated diagraininatieallyV at 31, at which point they are released-fro1n the tapes to pern'iitthei'n to .fall uponthis board. To vdeliver the sheets from 'the roller 1.5 to the'v board 31, I provide grippers132'which are mounted upon the tapesf27 yand serve to re leasably clamp the sheets at their forward edges'to the tapes. The grippers for this purpose may be of lany desirable construev tion, but I prefer to employ those showin`v 'each `of which com rises a pair of spaced 'plates 33, end 34 secured to the outer surece of thetpes 27 and provided with outing' lugs 35 and 36- respectively, to which levers 37 and 38 are pivot-ed as through the medium of a shaft 39 and a bolt 4Q, respectively, the levers 37 and l38 being ivoted at their outer ends to the ends of a I ink 41, as' represent-ed at 42 and 43 the lever 438 being provided with a stop 44 adapted to engage with the outer surface of the tape when the gripp'erf is open. Rigidly connected with the shaft 39 ere vfingers 45 and 46, the finger 45;V being a sheet-gripping fingenpand the 'finger46 means through the medium-bf which the gripper is released as vhereinefter descrbed.- In the construct-ibn g ependingA l bell-cranks 23 spacedl apart along th1s shaft y, and rigid'therewith and of a number correbefma'intained .in taut condition by illustrated, each tape 27 is'ot ay length'equal to twice the periphery oithe roller 15 and two of the grippers 32 are provided on each y tape, the grippers on each tape being spaced apart from center to center a distance equal to one-half of the' length of the tapes as illustrated in` Fig. 2, the positions assumed ,y

. by the. grippers, -When in closed and open condition, being those represented in Figs. 101 v and 5 respectively. It will be noted'that in both the open and closed positions, the levers 37 and 33 of thegrippers extend to one side of their pivots 39. and 40, re'spectively,pand

that when the grippers are in open condition the .fingers 45 are raised from the tapes Fi Y 5) ,'n'fhereas, when the grippers are 1n close position, the ,fingers 45 bear against `these tapes (Fig. 10). i

The grippers 17 and 32 on the `rollerland tapes 27respeotively, are so arranged as t0.

cause one of the'grippers 32 on each tape be carried to points closely adjacent to the grippers 17 when the latter are at the lower mostl point in their travel, viz. in thepoei-V tion at Awhich the release the sheet, the'. grippers 17 and 32 eing offset with relation to each other, in order to prevent. the grippers from-interfering with each other,

grippers 32 as they are moved to the position stated registering withl `the recess lint'o which they extend during a portion of their travel. l Y

In the operation of' the construction'illus;

vtre-ted, each gripper 17, in'clamping engagc- 'ment with the forward edge of a sheet of paper represented at X, is .caused to releasel its' grip.v on the sheet by mechanism (not shown), but which is commonly provided in pressesyof this type, when the grippers 1i are moved toda positionfin which their sheets engaging portions 47 are at substantially the lowermost point of their' travel; in other words, the sheet X is released' fromengngo ment with the grippers 17 immediately after moving to the right in Fig. 10 fromthe pof 'sition therein shown. IA moment before the grippers 17 have become released fromA the sheet 46, thefingers' 45 Iof the grippers'fm adjacent to` the-grippers 17uare operz'itedfltoy cause them to clamp the forward edge of the sheet between the fingers `45j and the upper Vsurface of .the coperatin'g tapes 274 for transferring ythe sheet-s from 'the roller 15 to these tapes for delivery to the joggen-,board 31. The preferred meansfor 'actuatmgthe gripper's 32 to cause them to clamp the sheet;

X, as stated, consist of arms 48 fixed-"on a, stationary'shaft 49 supportedin any suit able manner, and presenting inclined surfaces 50. The arms 48 are spaced'apnrt-"to cause them`r when the grippersBQAre-in open condition, as represented in'Figlto extend into the pathof movement of the ins 43 which extends laterally, as illl'istrnted 1n Fig. 4, these arms 48.'when engage-d by''at Y the .pins-43,:opera'ting to swing the levers 37 and 3Sk and. links 41 to the position villustra-ted in' Fig. 1'0 for moving the fingeis 45 "into gripping engagement with the sheet X 5 astherein illustrated, sprin s 51 connected with studs 52 on the lugs 35 intermediate the shafts 39 andthe tapes 27, and with the pins sl-2, servin to force the fingers 45 against the sheet@ wit-h' suficient` pressureto hold the latter firmly-'clamped'between t-liese tin rotation "o f the'wheels-21 `and v26 and the.

--travel of the tapes carried thereby as described, the sheet X is carried about e lcontaining arc-shaped slots 55 `tl'irough which the bolts 56for rigidly securing these rods to the links, extend, the lower ends of fthe .rods .53 -terminating atthe' peripheries lof-the v'adjacent wheelsv ,26.- The bars 53,

v which are provided of a number correspond 30 their lower ends into the path vof the tripngers46 of the grippers 32, when the latf teria're iii' gripping position, 'as representedv 'in Fig. 2, and thus', when thesefgrippei's.'

while in closed j condition with a" s'lieet gripped thereby' as befcrest'ated, reach; a point in their travel Tin which the fingers 46 engage with the b'ars"53`, -the -grippers 32 are i l automatically swung from the gripping po- 40 sition represented in Fig. 2 tothe opeii'condition represented in Fig. 5,. the springs 51 serving to 'releas'ablyhold vthe gripper-s 32 open, with the stops 44 'bearing against the outer surface of the tapes l27 carrying ft-hein.;v .45

The sheet X is thusfcarrie'd'by' the grippers 5o speed, means should beprovided for arresting the impetus ofthe. sheets when released from 'the grlppers 32 as describedfin. order that they may. become lstacked on the board. substantially uniformly. The means which I prefer to em loy for this purpose are those illustrated, a description of which is as follows: Extending lengthwise of the tapes 27, but beyond them, at opposite' sides thereof. are stationary rods 57 which may be supported in any suitable manner, these rods carrying sleeves 58 longitudinally adjust-- able thereon which afford' bearings for a rod 59y extending transversely of, and between the u per and lower stretches of, the tapes 27, this shaft carrying a plurality of pressergers .and the tapes 27, whereby, under the,

.wheels 21 toaposition in which it extends V-iinn'iediately above't-he jogger-board 31; 'At

such release being as follows: Each of the links 24E-is provided with a depending rod j I :having'extensions .54 on their upper ends ing tout-hev number' of tapes 27,1 extend at- 32 to a position immediately abo'vefthe board.

lingers 60, which are locatedin the spaces between the tapes 27, as i-llustrated in Fig. 1. Secured to the shaft 59 at its opposite ends are horizontallydisposed arms 61 which carry outwardlyfextending. pins 62 lying 7u within elongated slots '.63 provided on the liorizontally-disposed arms 640i hell-cranks 65 ulcrumed, as indicated at. 66, to depending lugs 67 on the'sleeves'58. The dpending arms 68 of the bell-cranks carry bar- 75 sections 69 pivotally connected thereto asindicated at 70, and extending in 'a plane be lowthe lower sections ofthe vtapes 27 asr illustrated -in F i g. 2, these barscontaining recesses .'71 in their upper4 surfaceswhich 30 form seats lfora Slat 72 rigidly secured thereto ina-ny suitable manner, and: to which one end of an apron-73, which may be of'i1- ii} f.'fv suitableilexible material, such as canvas, is

secured t-oeiitendlengthwise of the tapes 27,35

as illustrated in Fig.'1-, th e' other end 'of the- I aproiib'eing-wound upona takeupfsl'iaft 74 .supported 1n the lower ends. o levers 75. rigidly secured `at their upper ends, atjpointsj.

adja-c'entto'the-lateral edges ofthe apron, tolgo I ai rock-shaft*76j` iiian'neron the machine.

The shaft 19 carriesat one. end 'afipinioii 'i 77 vwhich meshes-)with 'a `gear 78` fixed on al l shaft `7 9ljouriial'ed in any suitable"manner,v 95

andrigid with the'gear 78 is adisk 8O which containsin its' periphery a recess 81' and forms a'cam.' One of 'the levers 75 overlaps the disk 80 and. carries aroller82, which i' under'- spring-tension zas" hereinafter de 1 scribed, whereby, when'- the'recessSl 'in the bearsa'gain'st the periphery' off--tliedisk 80 10o disk`80 lregisters with fthe roller'82, the lat# -I ter will enter this recess and permitthe 1evers '75 to swing to the leftinFig. 2, for a i05 purpose hereinafterstat'ed. The sleeves. 68. are provided with extensions 83 which form supports for spiralv springs 84, the latter beingconnected at their opposite ends with thev Y l I dependingy arnis 68 of-the bell-cranks 64., 110

The .tendency of thesprings 'Sil 4is to swing the bell-cranks 65 to .the lett in Fig.` 4;

therebydepressingthe arms 64 ofthe latter-jY and, by reason of the pinandslot connection between these a'rnis and the arms 61, causing the'shafts 59 to 4be rotated in adirect-i'on to cause thetingers 60 to be swung downwardly against the sheet X on the apron The apron 73 is adjusted, however, to -sucha polsition, as' illustrated` as will causethe'parts just described to assume the position illustrated in Fig. 2, namely `thatfin which thefingers 60 are raised from the apron 73, during the time that A'the roller 83-isine`n44 'giigeineiit with the unbi'okenportion of the periphery of the disk SO. l`Thus when the re' cesq 8 1' is moved Vto'af position in which it "i under ,the action of the spring S4, thereby* l()- of the sheetsthus operates to arrest the im-` In the operation of tlie miic1 "a small margin of the ta Eising the Abell cranks to a swin down# at their portions G4, With t ie result causing the fingers to momentarily 's against the tail-end of the sheet under g it. The mechanism for controliing the rocking of the levers is preferably so timed that the recess- Sl Willbe brought into registration with the roller $32 for causing the fingers 6G vto he momentarily depressed toward the apron 73 for gripping the tail end of the sheet of paperbeing carried by .the grippers 32, each time that a series of the grippers 32, with sheets clamped thereby, are carriedl to a position in which they engage with the rods 5 3 for releasing theA sheets, it'being preferred that the mechanism described beso tnnedas to` cause the fiingers 6() togrip-,the tail-endsaof the ,sb eets simultaneously .with `the release of the *head `ends thereofl from the 'stripper in e.

d csc rests upon the sheet-stm?, en the latterarc actuated and .thus as curas the last referred to means are returnedto normalposition, viz. to a position `in which .the roller 83 engages with the imbroken 80, they.

portion of the periphery of the disk 4Will be Withdrawn frombeneath the-sheet and -thelatter will fall. p I

.The mechanism for gripping the tail-ends petusl of the latter and the sheets'released from the l`grippers 32 drop vertically upon the\joggerboard 3l and thereby becomev stacked thereon in substantially uniformly a superposed condition.

J The apron 73 in addition to performing the function of a connector between the levers and the mechanism for engaging with the tailends oi the sheets operates asa support for the tail-ends of the sheets until theyfare released for discharge upon the joggenboard 31. i'

By support-infr the grippers 32 directly i" the tapes 27 vand eliminating direct connections with the different tapes, I am enabled to slit the sheets off-paper longitudinally after they have been released from 'the roller 15, and for this purpose provide co' theyl are passed between these cutter-clef ment-s in the operation of the machine as hereinbefore described.

The provision of the adjustable sleeves'U53` 65 serves to permit'the means for gripping'the 2l. containing a pe@ end4portions 'of the sheets to be adjusted for accommodating len thsof sheets. l y

hile I have illustratedl and described a specific form of machine,vIdo not wish to be understood as intending to limit my inthe machine to diierentm vention'to its embodiment in such construci tion, Aasthe same may be variously changed ,and altered Without departing from the spirit ofniy invention:

Vhat I claim as new', and desire to secure byLetters Patent, isl l. In mechanism of the character described, the combination of two sets of alining` Wheels spaced apart, endless tapes mounted on said wheels to travel in an endiess path, grippers. carried byY said tapes, said sheet-grippers being arrangedfin a v seriesextending transversely of' the movel mentof'said tapes and operatmgto grip a sheet at various points across its front end, gripper-actuating mea-ns vin thefpath of vincrementof said grippers, andv paper-slitting,r mechanism comprising a pair of cutterdisks one of Whichis operatively connected with the whee'is of one set thereof to rotate Wit-h the wheels and extend on onel side of ,the sheet advanced -by the 'grippers-, and .the otherof which is at theothcr side 'ot the sheet, whereby as the sheet is advanced Ait travels betweeny the members of said slit ting means, for 4the purpose set forth. a In lmechanism of l the y character set forth, the combination with meansfor mov` ing the sheet, and la suppotupon which the sheet isto be deposited, ofmeans for stopping the rsheet comprising relatively movable ccperstin'g fmembers supported re spicctivcly above a'i'uibizlcwl lthe path 'of movementci the sheet and 'above seid supsor 'ico

port during the movement of'ithe `sheet to and between said members and arranged in a series extending vtransversely, of said `path to grip the sheet at various lpoints between its edges at the tail. end, of the sheet, land spring-controlled operati ngA means therefor'.

3.' In mechanismof thechara'cter; set

forth, the Cembinaiion with means for meving a sheet, and-a support upon which the sheet is to be'deposi'ted, of means -for stop ping the sheet comprising coperating members supported respectively above and below, the path of movement of the sheet and above said support during the movement of the sheet to. and between said members and arranged .in a series extending transversely of said path (if-movement for gripping the sheet at various points between its edgesv at the tail. end ofI the sheet, certain'of said.v

`members being movable toward andv away from the othersthercof, and spring-cou# trolled means for actuating said movable members to perform the gripping function. 4.7111 mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with means for mm-` ing a sheet., and a support upon which the sheet is to be deposited, of means for stopping the sheet comprising cooperating members.snpported respectively above and below the path of movement `of the sheet and4 end of the sheet, certain of said membersv being pivotally supported fingers movable toward and away from the other of said l members, and spring-controlled means for 1,5 moving said fingers toward the other of said membersl lfor performing the, gripping function.

5.-In aL machine of the character set forth, the combination of a traveling endless sheet-gripper support equipped with `gripper-mechanism for engaging with the 'sheet and advancing it, means for disengaging the gripper-mechanismfrom the sheet, a support upon which the sheet is to be deposite'd, and means for stopping the sheet when released from said gripper-mechanism comprising relatively-movable cooperating members supported respectively above and below the path of movement of the sheet and" above said last-named support during t-he .movementof the sheet to and between said members and arranged in a series extendingmtransversely of.y said path to grip l the sheetat Vvarious points between its edges at the tail end of the sheet, and spring-controlled operating means therefor.

k 6. In a machine of the character set forth, the combination of a traveling endless sheet-gripper support equipped with gripper mechanism for engaging with the sheetand advancing it, means for disengaging said gripper-mechanism from the sheet, a support upon which the sheetis to bedeposited, and means for 'stopping the sheet when released from said gripper-mechanism comprisinr eoperating members 'supported respectivel:Y above and below the path of movement of thesheet and above said lastnam'ed support during the movement of the 'sheet to and between said members and arrangedA in a series extending transversely of said path of movement for gripping the sheet at various points between its edges at ythe tail end of they sheet, certain of said membersbeing movable toward and away from the others thereof, and spring-con trolled vmeans for actuating said movable members to perform the gripping function. n" 7. In a'machine of the character set forth, the combination of a traveling endless sl'ieet-gripper support equipped with gripper-mechanism forV engaging with the sheet and advancing it, meansfordisengaging -the gripper mechanism from thegsheet,

a support upon which the sheet is to be de,-

posited, andmeans for stopping the sheet comprising coperating members supported respectively above and below the path of movement of the sheet and above' saidlasts named support during the movement of the sheet to and between said members and arranged in a series extending transversely of said path for gripping the sheet at various points between its edges at the tail end of the sheet, certain of said members being pivotally supported fingers movable toward and away from the other of said members, and spring-controiled means for moving said fingers toward the other of said members for` performing the gripping function.

S. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving a sheet. a shiftable apron below said means and serving to support the sheet, and means i operatively connectedwith the-apron and operated by shifting lthe latter for engaging with `the tail-end of the sheet, for the purf pose set forth.

Y `9,. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving the sheet, a shiftable apron below said meansl and servlng to support the sheet, and meansV operatively connected with said apron and operated by shifting the latter for clamping the tail-end of the sheet to said apron, for the purpose set forth. v

10. In mechanism. of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving a sheet, a shiftable apron below said means and serving -to support the sheet, mea-ns op eratively connected with said apron and operated by shifting the lat-ter for engaging with. ,theV 'sheet' to stop it, and means for shifting said apron.

1'1. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combinationy ofmeans for moving the sheet, a shiftable apron serving to support the sheet, means operatively connected with said apron and operated by shifting the latter for clamping the tailfend of the sheet to said apron to -stop the sheet, and means for shifting said apron.

In mechanism of the character set forth,fthe combination of means for moving the sheet, and means for stopping the sheet comprising a movable member, an apron located below the path of movement of said sheet and said movable member, and means for operating said movable member to move it toward said apron for gripping the sheet between the latter and said movable member, for the purpose set forth.A

13. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving a sheet, and means for stopping the sheet comprising a roch-finger, an apron located below the path of movement of said sheet and beneath said finger, means cooperating with said-apron for normally holding said finger out of the path of movement of the sheet, and means *for rocking said finger,` toyward the sheet to grip thev latter between said finger-and apron, for the piirposesgt ating intermittently to'shift said apron to a 1 position in which it will cause said gripper-device to extend out of thepat-h of movement of the sheets, for the purpose set forth.

15: In mechanism of the ,cllraracter set forth, the combination of 4m 'tOi moviiig sheets, and means for stopp p i I comprising a gripperfdevice adapted to gane withstllieftailpnds .ofthe sheets, mea tendine te more .Said .devise i movement of the sheets,

iiftebleepfreii operative felation to said device and operatmg, when shifted in one direction, t0 .hoi-,d said device out of the path of HIOVBHIGH of the sheets and against the resistance of; said. last-named means, a shiftablc lover COIlIlcted with said apron for shifting the latter, and means for intermittently shifting said lever, for the purpose set forth.

16. In mechanism, ot' the character set forth, the combination of means for moving slieets,fand meansv for stopping the sheets comprising ai gripper-device adapted to engage with thelta'il-,ends of the-sheets, means tending to move said device into thplth ,0f movementof thc'shcets,a shftoble apron located below the sheets and connected in operative relation with said device and opelE ating, when shifted in one direction, to hold said device out of the path of movement of the sheets against the resistance' of said lastn named means, a shiftable device connected with said apron for shifting the latter, and cam-mechanism Afor intermittently shifting said shiftable device, for the purpose set forth.

17. In inecljianismof the Character est forth, the combination of ineens :for moi/ing sheets, and mea-ns for stopping the sheets' comprising an apron located beneath the sheets, a movable finger connected in o orf ative relation to said apron and adapte to be moved toward the latter for ipplng the sheets between said apron and nger, means tending to move said finger .into gripping engagement with the sheets, said apron op-v `the sheets integer emitting, when shifted` in one directiom'to hold said-finger out of the path of movement p 4the sheets and against the resistance of g said last-named means, and means operating i with said apron and operating, when the latter is shifted, to engage with the sheets, a swingtiigly-mounted` lever connected with one end of the apron, and camfmechanism operating to intermittently shift said level and apron, for the purpose set forth.

19. ln mechanism of the character Se; forth, the coml'iination of means for moving;

sheets, and means for stopping thesheetfcomprising a' svvingingly-snpported, bell lever, a rock-finger ylocated above the j,""means *connecting Said 'finger `with y ell-crank for rocking the fin r against the sheet below it when the bee-crank 'is siyyiing in one direction, a spring tending to more said bell-crank in a direction for moving said finger into the pat-h of movement of tie s eets, a shiftable apron connected with 1ell-crank, a Vd means operating inter mittently for hshi-ting said apron to swin raid hellfcranl against th" resistance of sai spring, for the iiiwpose set forth; l

'20, In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving sheets, and means for stopping the sheets comprising pivotally supported bell-cranks', a rock-finger located above the ypath of vto movement of said sheets, an arm operatively.

connected with said finger, connections between said arm and one of the bell-cranks operating to depress said finger into the ath of movementof the sheet' below it When' the bell-crank is swung in one direc'-4 sheets, and means for stopping the sheets.

comprising a'1-ocl{sliaft, fingers secured'to said shaftabove the Ipath of movementl ,of :l the sheets, arms connected with 'shaftV i and equipped with-pins, p'ivotally supported bell-cranks,containing slots into which said 4.pins extend, spring-means tending to sivingf connected in opera-tive relation to said device and operating, when shifted in one direction, to hold said device out. of the path of movement of the sheets and against the resistance of said last-named means, a shiftable lever connected with said apron for shifting the latter, and means for intermittently shifting said lever, for the purpose set forth. 30. In a machine of the character de-V scribed, the combination of a traveling endless sheet-gripper support equipped with gripper-mechanism for engaging with the sheets and advancing them, means for disengaging the grip erdnechanism from the sheet, and means fidi' arresting the impetus of the sheets when released from the gripper-mechanism, comprising a gripper-device adapted to engage with the tail-ends of the sheets, means tending to move said device into the path of movement of the'sheets, a shiftable apron located below the sheets and connected in operative relation to said de vice and operating, when shifted in one direction, to hold said device out of the path of movement of the sheets againstthe resistance of said last-named means, a shiftable device connected with said apron' for shifting the latter, and camsmcchanism for intermittently shifting said shiftable device, for the purpose set forth. l c

31.1n a machine of the character de.- scribed, the combination of a traveling endless sheet-gripper support equipped with gripperlmechanisln for engaging with the sheets and advancing them, means for disengaging the gripper-mechanism from the sheets, and means for arresting the impetus of the sheets when .released from the gripper-mechanism, comprising an apron .located beneath the sheets, a movable inger connected inoperative relation to Said apron and adapted to be moved toward the latter for gripping the sheets between said' apron ,and finger, means tending to move Said finger into gripping engagement with the sheets, said apron operating, when shifted none direction, to hold said-finger out of thc path of movement` of the sheets and .against the resistance of said last-named means, and. means operating intermittently to shift said apron to a position in which it will canse said linger .to extend out of the path of movement of the sheets, for the purpose set Jforth.

32. In a machine of the character dcscribed, the combination oi a traveling endless sheet-Gripper support equipped with gripper-mechanism for engaging with the sheets and advancing -them, means for disen- @ggaging the gripper-mechanism from the `sheetsland means for arresting the impetus Aif `the sheets when released trom the grippl'anechanisnn comprising a shi'ltablc apron serving to support the sheets, means operatively connected with said apron and sheets and advalilng 1.19115 means for dis' engaging the grlpperfmechanism from the sheets,'and means or arresting the illptlls of the sheets when released from the grip: per-mechanism, comprising a s winginglysupported bell-crank lever, a rock-finger located above the sheets, means connecting said finger with said bell-crank forlrocking the finger ,against the sheet below it when the be1l-cranlc is swung in one direction, a spring tending to swing said bell-@rank in a direction for moving said finger into path of movement'of the sheets, a Sbifbl apron 'connected with said bell-crank, and means operating intermittently for shifting said apron to swing said bellciank against the resistance of said spring, for the purpose set forth.

34. In a machine of the character described, the combination of a traveling endsheet-gripper support .equipped with gripper-mechanism for engaging with thc sheets and advancing them, means for disengaging `the grippermechanism from the ysheds, and means :or airiesting the-impetus ot.' the sheets when released fll'l :the gl'iP per-mechanism, comp'risin votai'lysnp: ported .bell-cranks, a roc t inger located above said sheets, an arm operatively connected with said linger, connectionsbetween said arm and one of the bell-'cranks operat` ing 'to move said finger toward the apron and into the path of movement of the shept liielow it' ,when the bell-crank -is swung 1n one direction a s ring tending to'swing said bell-Ci'u-ll ill gi@ dll'teton fm' moving said linger into the path of movement of the sheets, a shit'table apron (connected with ,said bell-cranks and operating, when shifted in one direction, to swing the beILcI'anks against the resistance of said spring, 4and means operating intermittently to shift said apron against the resistance of said spring, for the purpose set forth.

i155, In a machine of the character def scribed, hthe `combination of a traveling endless sheet-gripper ysupport equipped with grippcr-mechanism for engaging with the sheets and advancing them, means for dis engaging the gripper-mechanism from the sheets, and means 'for arresting the impetus of the sheets when released from the gripper-mechanisi'n, Acomprising a rock-shaft` fingers secured to saidshaftabove the path of movement ot' the sheets, an arm connected with said shaft and equipped with pin,

: i pivotally-snpported bell-crank containing' vpath of movement of the sheets, an apron connected with said bell-crank and located below said fingers for coperation with the y latter for clamping the sheets and serving. when shifted 1n one dlrectlon, to swing said bell-crank against the resistance of said' spring-means for raising said fingers out of the pat-h of movement of the sheets, and means vfor intermittently shifting said apron against the resistance of said spring-means, for the pin-pose set forth.

36. In mechanism of the character described, the combination `with an endless traveling sheet-support, of a gripper connected With said' support andl formed of a pair ,of pivotally supported levers spaced apart and each directly secured to said support and provided with a sheet-gripping finger and a trip-device, a link connecting said levers together eccentrically of'their pivots, and spring means tending to hold said grippers in shifted position.

37. Inmechanism of the character described, the combination with an endless traveling sheet-support, .of a gripper connected with said support and formed of a pair of pivot-allv supported' levers each directly connected with said snpport,`a link connecting said levers together, a sheet-gripping finger anda trip-device connected with one of said levers, a trip-device connected with the otherof said levers, and a spring tendingr to hold said levers in shifted position when .shifted in veither direction.

38. In mechanism ot' the. character described, the combination of means for movl ing a sheet. and means for stoppingthe sheet 'comprising coperating members slipported respectively v above land below the path of movement of the sheet and arranged in a series extending transversely of said path for gripping the sheet atyarious points between its. edges at the rear end of the sheet and between which members Vthe sheet:

' purpose set forth.

39. In mechanism of A'the character set forth, the .combination of means for moving' a sheet, and means for stopping the sheet comprising` gripper-mechanism formed of coperating members', one of which is' movable toward the other thereof and adapted to engage with the tail-end of a sheet. means tending to move said movable member into to extend .outof the path of movement of able toward and away from the other-theref- 4of and adapted to engage with the tail-'ends .movable member into the path of movement@ the vpath of movement of the sheet, a shiftablev member connected in operative relation to said movablemember and operating, when shifted in one direction, to hold said movable member out of the path of movement of the sheet and against Athe resistance of said last-named means, and means for shifting said shiftable device to a. position in Which it will cause said movable member thesheet and releasably hold said shiftable device in such position, for the purpose set forth. l

40. In mechanism of the character set fort-h, the combination of meansfor moving 30 sheets, and means for-stopping the sheets comprising gripper-mechanism. formed of coperating members one of 'which is movable toward and. avay from theother thereof and adapted to engage with the tail-ends of the sheets, means tending to move said movable member .into` `the path of movementI of the sheets, a shiftable member connected in operative relation to said movable mem-` ber and-operating, when shifted in one direction, to hold vsaid movable member out of the' path of movement of the sheets and against the resistance of said last-named means, and means operating intermittently to shift said shiftable member yto a position in which it Will cause said movable member: to extend out of the path of movement of the sheets,"y for the purpose set forth.-

` 4:1. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving sheets, and means for'stopping the sheets comprising gripper-'mechanism formed. of coperating members one' of which is movable toward and away from the other thereof and adapted to engage with the tail-ends of the sheets, means tendingl to move said movable member into the path of movement ofthe sheets,a shiftable member 'connected in operativerelation to said movable member and operating, when shifted in one direction, to hold said movablemember out of the -path of 'movement of the sheets and against the resistance of said last-named means, a shiftable leverconnected with said shiftable member for shiftinglthe' latter, and means for intermittently shifting-said lever,

for the purpose set forth'.

42. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means.forglnjovigz sheets, and'means for stopping, the'f's'heets 51129-5: comprising gripper mechanism foi-'medi of coperating members one' o f Whiehpi'smovof the sheets, means tending to morev said-.f1.2

of the sheets, a shiftable member connected in operative relation to said movable mem--' ber and operating when shifted in one di.- rection to hold said movable member 'outof ,133.. v

', cammechanism for intermittently shifting f :said shiftable device, for the purpose set orth.

43. In mechanism of the character set 1th, kthe combination of means for moving A)"feets, and means for stopping the sheets `eo`mprising gripper-mechan1sm formed of cooperating members one of which is a: tinger movable toward and away from the other member thereof and adapted to grip the tail-ends of the sheets between them, a shiftable member connected in operative' i; lation with said finger, means tending to move said finger into gripping engagement with the sheets, said shiftable member operating-,when shifted in one direction, to hold said finger out of the path of movement of the sheets and against the resistance of said last-named means, andmeans operating' in= termittently to shift said shiftable member to a position in which it will cause said finger to extend out of the path of movement of the sheets, for the purpose set forth.

44. In a machine of the character set` forth, the combination of means for movii'ig sheets, and means for stopping 'the sheets comprising gripper-mechanism formedof cooperating members one of which is mov; able toward and away from the other there of and adapted to grip between them the tail-ends of the sheets, a shiftable member connected with said gripper-mechanism and operating, when shifted, tov move said movable member toward its said cooperating member for engagement with a sheet, a swingingly mounted lever connected with one end of said shiftable member, and cam mechanism operating intermittently to .shift said lever and said shiftable member. for the purpose set forth.

45. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving sheets, and means for stopping the sheets comprising a swingingly-supported bellcrank lever, gripper-members, oneof which is a rock-ngerlocated above the sheets and movable toward and away from the other of said members` means connecting said finger with said bell-crank for rocking the finger against the sheet Ibelow it when the bellcrank is swung in one direction, a spring tending to swing said bell-crank in a direction for moving it into the path of movement of the sheets, a shiftable member connected with said bell-crank, and means operating intermittently for shifting said shiftable member to swing said bell-crank against the resistance of said spring, for the purpose set forth.`

46. In mechanism `of the character set forth, the combination of means for moving sheets, and means for stopping the sheets comprising pivotallylaupportedl bell-cranks, gripper-members one of which is a rockfnger loca-ted above said sheets and movable toward and away from the other of said members, an arm operatively connected with said finger, connections between said arm and one of said bell-cranks operating to move said finger toward the other of said gripper-members and into the path of movement of the sheet below it when the bellcrank is swung .in one direction, a spring tending to swing said bell-crank` in the direction for moving said finger into the path of movement of the sheets, a shiftble member connected with saidI bell=cranlxs and op erating, when shifted in one direction, to swing the bell-cranks against the resistance of said spring, and means operating intermittently to shift said shifvtable member against the resistance of said spring, for the piirpos'e st forth. i I y 47. In mechanism of the character forth, the combination of means for moving sheets, and means for stopping the sheets comprising a rock-shaft,l gripper-members between which the sheets are passed, certain of said gripper-members being fingers secured to said shaft above the path of move- 'ment of the sheets,` anda-rms connected' with said shaft and equipped with a pin, a pivotallysupported bell-cranl containing a slot into which said pin extends, spring-means tending to swing said bell-prank upon its pivot for depressing said tingers into the path of movement of the sheets, a shiftable member connected with said bellecrank and operating, when shifted in one direction, to swing said bell-crank against the' resistance of said spring-means for raising said fingers out of the path of movement of the sheets, and means for intermittently shifting said shiftable member against the resistance of said spring-means, for the purpose set forth.

48. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination with means for moving a sheet, of means for stopping the sheet comprising three or more pairs of coperating members supported at a corresponding number of points, respectively, above and below the path of movement of the sheet intermediate the paths through which the lateral edges of the sheet move, one of said members being movable toward. and away from the otherl thereof, means tending to move said movable member toward its cooperating member, and means operating to normally hold said movable member in raised position against thc resistance of said first-named means,for the purpose set forth.

49. In mechanism of the character set forth, the combination of spaced rotating members, a series of endless traveling mombers spaced apart and supported on said ro aprisin' voo erst-in' i' Topposigte sldpsof t I thesheet vand located in said unobstructed e path of movement .of

sheet comprising relatively movable mem-- .bers arranged respectively above and below* `tlie path of movement of thesheet and diszzf: posed in 'a --series extending transverselvofj said pat-h foi'fgrippingsaid slit-sheet `sec` tions. p

if 'eYRns AJM'CCAI'N. 4; 

